Hope for Cindy

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’m feeling a tender spot for we ladies. Some of you have recently (or not so recently) lost your moms; some have moms battling illness.  Some await a child’s wedding day; a few are praying for God’s perfect spouse choice for your child.  Others are asking the Lord to bring their “babies” into a right relationship with their loving Father.  Some of us are overworked or overwhelmed moms, some of us long to be moms, some of us currently know estrangement as moms, and there are a few brand new moms out there, too. Certainly, being a mom brings its real moments of hugs, tears, hard work, angst and elated joy. By God’s grace we go.

Wherever we live, any place on this beautiful planet, with all women we share the privilege of raising children. Similar parenting/grand parenting issues occupy the deeper recesses of our hearts, and it is to those places that our minds go when the head finally hits the pillow at night. Jesus awaits us there.He is our Holy Helper, the only Way and the only One to grow us up as moms in His likeness.

Finally, /sisters/, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellentor praiseworthy–think about such things….the apostle Paul

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!!  ~ cindy

PS.  Another BIG THANK YOU for praying that I heal completely as God chooses. The cataract surgery was a great success! I do need prayer for continued recovery from severe dry eyes, one side effect of donor transplants.  I am so grateful to report that my blood cancer marker remains in the normal range; I am now 97% (up from 92% last visit) my sister, Sherrie.

Along with you in His holy and loving grip, “Shindy!”
Cindy Morris

Today we can all find a plethora of reasons to give thanks.  You are on the top of my list. THANK YOU for faithfully praying for my health. The last check up resulted in the definite tapering of one of two anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications. We pray that this drug reduction will invigorate my sister Sherrie’s good cells, which still have not dominated, overtaken my DNA.  I appreciate you joining us here, on our way to complete healing, as God deems fit. The tapering will likely create some side effects, most of which are manageable and definitely worth it.

This holiday season is the year for our entire clan – three precious couples and two adorable grandbabies (Maddie and Jack) to celebrate THANKSGIVING together with us, CiCi and GrandBarry.

Oh, “the /undeserved/ kindnesses of the Lord!”   Isaiah 63:7 and Romans 2:4

Walking by grace alone, with gratitude -

Cindy (and Mark) Morris

Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.   Colossians 3:23

Three PRAISES and PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  Mark has been literally clipping wires and building fences in our backyard. During the building of his mom’s cottage behind our house, the construction crew ran over the old chain-linked fence; thus, the wire-clipping and subsequent replacement with a wooden fence. In all of this, God has again proven that His timing is perfect.  The stem cell transplant manual specifically states: “While in treatment, avoid any areas of construction.” Audrey’s house was built during those very 100 donor transplant days while we were away!

2.  Last week we returned from Cindy’s scheduled check up in Nashville.  ”Just call me ‘Sh-indy’!” Sherrie’s healthy stem cells are taking over my DNA, trending upwards from 86% last visit to now 90%. Praise God!  Thank you for continued prayer that Cindy’s immune system becomes 100% Sherrie’s. (Cancer did sadly take the life of a former Muslim brother in Christ this week; please ask God to comfort and guide the family of five as they grieve.)

3.  Vanderbilt gave me permission to travel with Mark on a two-week, work-related journey east. Please ask for traveling mercies, health and God’s good, gospel purposes to be advanced.  We will meet with pastors and leaders, visit churches, participate in conferences (i.e. Catalyst), and plan with colleagues at the International Mission Board. Fun!

Happy Fall to you all!

Cindy and Mark Morris

Maddie & Cici drying nails for the wedding

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21.

I like the expression about many “projects” in life ‘taking a village’ to accomplish.  As we get older it is not uncommon to realize our limitations.  That was easy for me to remember while transplanting and wedding planning simultaneously this last spring.

Our youngest daughter Kelly married a wonderful John Irvine on June 18. Not knowing how the cancer treatment might deter my helping, I saw God raise up so much help from so many in the Body of Christ.  Yes, the day turned out beautifully, and we stand in awe of such a BIG VILLAGE of support and love.  A HUGE THANK YOU for each prayer and act of kindness on our behalf.

As scheduled, Mark and I then headed back to Vanderbilt last Friday for my FIRST POST DONOR TRANSPLANT CHECK UP. To summarize, I am “ON COURSE,” praise God!  Now the expected yearlong “battle” for my sister Sherrie’s good cells to completely override mine and fight off myeloma is on and is a balancing act.  Gut, rash and liver are the usual sites of the struggle, the first two of which I have experienced and are better.  This is called Graft vs. Host Disease.  We want some of of this GVHD, so that Sherrie’s healthy cells in me know to keep aggressive, but not so much as to lose quality of life.

Still keeping up with all the meds and managing the steroid and immunosuppressant side effects are the frustrating part.  Please ask God to give me the right perspective each day to rejoice that the transplant worked!  These side effects will one day disappear. As you know, the challenges of life offer us opportunity to either rebel or submit to our Sovereign, Just and Good, Loving Father.

Happy Summer to all!  Sincerely, Cindy

Other Prayer Requests:

Please lift up the Concerned Christians for Afghanistan meeting this July 6 – 8, where widow Libby Little and parents of deceased Cheryl Beckett will be sharing.  Ask the Spirit to move among the 85-strong group, all for His Glory in that wonderful nation.

There are so many others battling cancer of which you and I are aware; may the Lord send His Healing Hand as He wills, and may He use all kinds of suffering in this world to draw many closer to Jesus.

Pray for Cindy as we approach the June 18 wedding of our baby girl, Kelly. Cindy has been very busy getting all the details ready for the wedding. Unfortunately  I have been on the road for 3 weeks! : -(

In the mean time, Cindy’s GvHd has spread; one of her most important meds (celcept) is extremely elevated, and I have not been there to help her get her exercise. I feel like a terrible husband.

Please pray for Cindy during this next week.

1. We want this to be the most awesome wedding week – we pray that Kelly and John will be able to experience this week with great joy and satisfaction, starting their marriage on the right foundation. Pray for Cindy to have the stamina and the health throughout this glorious week for our baby girl.

2. Pray for our family’s collective health care management of the many factors impacting Cindy’s ongoing health. Emily has been a great help, encouraging us and helping us to see important issues.

3. Pray for Cindy’s GvH disease to subside and for her to maintain the correct levels of all her meds to assist in the management of GvH disease.

4. Pray for the strengthening of Cindy’s muscles and improved stamina. One of the dangers for her is to loose muscle mass.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Mark

Thanks for praying for Cindy’s Host vs. Graft reaction. With the correct medications, things are settling down.

Another issue that came up is problems in her feet. One of the symptoms of the treatment is bone density issues.  This week Cindy’s heels have been caused her pain. She is busy trying to work with Kelly on getting ready for the wedding, so she needs to be 100%.

Pray for her feet to recover soon and that everyone will stay strong and healthy through the June 18 wedding.

Blessings

Mark

We may have given the impression that this battle is over … it simply ain’t so.

After our last blog post, Cindy began dealing with one of the many possible side effects of her three transplants, particularly the most recent transplant using her sister’s stem cells.

Please pray with Cindy as she is now battling a full fledged case of Host versus Graft Disease that is spreading as a rash across her trunk.

Pray that this skin version of the disease is contained and does not spread to her face, mouth, eyes, and other organs.

Thanks so much for praying with us.

Mark

This is our final week – I’m writing from India as Cindy and her Mom are going through the last battery of tests to complete this 100 day treatment.

On Tuesday I’ll be speaking with some field workers here about ways to mobilize more partners.  When I return to Nashville on the 5th, I’ll have the privilege of packing up our temporary Nashville apartment and driving us back to Memphis.  We Can’t Wait to get home!!!

Thanks for your prayers for me as I travel and serve here. Please pray for Cindy and Peg as they meet with doctors, and prepare all the things that need to happen before finalizing our time in Nashville.

God has truly been good through all of these circumstances.

We celebrate Him and His love .

We pray that through these things, God will truly be glorified.

That we may become smaller and He become large in the hearts of more and more. And pray that those of us who know Him will be instruments in His hands.

Mark Morris